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Sarapiqui, Costa Rica - 1-2 Week Custom Trips Available Year Around - All Ages - Groups of 5+

Jun - Dec 2024 | Merge

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Trip #25671

Sarapiqui, Costa Rica - 1-2 Week Custom Trips Available Year Around - All Ages - Groups of 5+

Trip #25671

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Merge Peer reviewed & demonstrates proven compliance to best practice standards - MissionExcellence Accredited Member

Location:

Costa Rica, Central America

Dates:

Jun - Dec 2024
Lasts 1 week to 2 weeks

Activities:

Community Development, Youth Ministry, Medical/Healthcare, Teaching/Education, VBS/Bible Clubs,

Cost:

Approximately $825 to $875
** See Financial Information Below
Includes: Lodging, Meals
Agency: Merge
Location: Costa Rica, Central America
Dates: Jun - Dec 2024
Lasts 1 week to 2 weeks
Activities: Community Development, Youth Ministry, Medical/Healthcare, Teaching/Education, VBS/Bible Clubs
Cost: Approximately $825 to $875
** See Financial Information Below
Includes: Lodging, Meals
Inquire about the trip

The Global Church is inviting you to participate in what God is doing in the banana plantation region of Sarapiqu, Costa Rica. Our partner is La Iglesia Pueblo de Cristo. The church, in Heredia, set up a mission church years ago and have been working with the Nicaraguan immigrants who work on the banana plantations. Teams would be engaged in community-based ministries led by the church. Any age group is invited, any time of year, for any length of time. Trips are led, staffed and implemented by Costa Rican Nationals.

Map Costa Rica
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What the Mission Trip Will Be Like

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The Global Church is inviting you to participate in what God is doing in the banana plantation region of Sarapiqui, Costa Rica. Our partner is La Iglesia Pueblo de Cristo. The church, in Heredia, set up a mission church years ago and have been working with the Nicaraguan immigrants who work on the banana plantations. Teams would be engaged in community-based ministries led by the church.   Any age group is invited, any time of year, for any length of time. Trips are led, staffed and implemented by Costa Rican Nationals.

The village where the church is located is called La Malinche, Sarapiqui. This village is made up primarily of Nicaraguan immigrants who do not have legal status in Costa Rica, and therefore do not receive any government support (except a simple education). The families work in the banana plantations for very low wages. The village is isolated; about 30 minutes down a dirt road and over rivers to arrive in the community. The city of Puerto Viejo is about one hour away. 

 

 

 

 

 

The following are the primary ministry opportunities in La Malinche, Sarapiqui of Costa Rica:

– Educational Classes in public schools

– Medical/Dental clinics and workshops

– Youth Ministry

– Children's Ministry

– Community Development

– Women's Ministry

– Sports Ministry

– Feeding Programs

 

Besides these options, there are more. The goal would be to find out the skills and interests of your team and match them with the ongoing ministries of church partners in the area.

Trips are Mutually Designed with local partners utilizing your skills for ministry, learning from the Global Church, and building relationships with believers in the region.  Any age group is invited, any time of year, for any length of time.

All trips are led, staffed and implemented by Costa Rican Nationals and Latin American church leaders. Merge is an organization directed by a leadership team made up of non-American Global Church leaders from around the world. Once your team sends in a deposit, the Merge Coach of Costa Rica, Esther Palma, will contact your team leaders and work with your team, and the local church leaders, to develop an itinerary, ministry focus, and develop learning activities for your team. Local nationals will be hired as interpreters, guides, ministry coaches, cooks, and construction supervisors (if needed). 


Housing –  church housing is the best option for teams (housing is very rudimentary). Hotels in Puerto Viejo are an option as well.

Food – Usually teams are fed two-American/Canadian-style uncooked meals each day, and one cooked Costa Rican meal made by local cooks, although more Costa Rican meals are possible. Purified water is also supplied for teams. 

Flights – teams would fly to San Jose, Costa Rica. 

Ground Transportation – Merge will hire local bus companies to drive your team around Costa Rica, and from the airport in Costa Rica. 

Learning – Learning activites with local church leaders and Merge staff will be designed into the itinerary.

Cultural Activities – Costa Rica is rich in wildlife, tropical rain forests, volcanoes and beaches. Numerous national parks in the rain forests can be visited. Cascadas de la Paz is one nice location to visit. Volcan Arenal and Volcan Poas can be visited. There are beach areas near Jaco and the Guanacaste area. Zip lines and kayaking are popular as well. 

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Relation of Opportunity to National Church and/or Long-term Goals

Merge is an organization directed and led by Global Church leaders, not North Americans. This gives Merge a Global lens in preparing and implementing short-term trips.

All Merge trips are directed, organized, staffed and led by the national church. All Merge custom trips are mutually designed by the national partner in communication with the short-term trip leader. Teams learn FROM the local church leaders and pastors. The local church/ministries are inviting teams from the United States and Canada to participate in what God is already doing in their communities. Teams PARTICIPATE in ongoing ministries within the community of the local church and organization. The goal is to do ministry WITH local partners, not FOR them.

Merge trips to Costa Rica are created by Costa Rican nationals in partnership with the local churches in order to create an opportunity for the team and local congregation/community members to do ministry together, learn from each other, build relationships with each other, and further the ministry of the local churches.

Additional Trip Information

Region:
Central America
Country:
Costa Rica
Other Location Info:
Puerto Viejo
Participant Age:
Elementary, Jr. High, Sr. High, College, Adult, Senior Adults
Eligible to Go:
Groups only
Other Financial Notes:
Does not include flights to San Jose, Costa Rica.
Training debriefing
Pre-trip training includes a training manual with recommended meeting outlines and an IN PERSON interactive training at your church by Merge trainers for teams of ten or more. In-person training covers three general areas: appropriate motivation and implementation of short-term trips, cultural intelligence training led by national leaders, and ministry preparation coaching. Teams also receive one-hour online virtual introductions with your Global partner called "Merge Connect," which are designed to begin dialogue, learning and relationships in advance of the trip. During the trip our staff will offer to lead your team in morning devotionals and evening debriefings written by Global Church Leaders to give your team a fresh new perspective regarding how God works in the world, your journey in your relationship with Christ, and Global perspectives on social justice issues. Post-trip debriefing includes a post-trip manual with meeting recommendations and outlines, virtual interaction with Merge Coaches from the country/region you will be visiting, plus a Merge Connect with community and church members your team interacted with during your trip.
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Mission Trip Offered By Merge

The GLOBAL CHURCH INVITING North Americans TO PARTICIPATE IN WHAT GOD IS DOING AROUND THE WORLD. Merge is directed by a team of Global Church leaders from five continents. All Merge trips are organized, led, and staffed by the Global Church. This gives Merge a UNIQUE non-North American perspective on short-term trips.

THE GLOBAL CHURCH INVITING – the initiative and leadership are from the Global Church, not the North American church to GO and lead
TO PARTICIPATE IN – the participation is active involvement and learning through what the Global Church is already doing. The focus is on involvement WITH, not doing FOR – active learning involves participation as well as reflection
WHAT GOD IS DOING AROUND THE WORLD – Missio Dei – God is actively involved around the world – North Americans can discover what God is already doing through followers of Christ around the world

OUTCOME – for participants from North America and the Global Church to be strengthened in their relationship with Jesus Christ, increase in passion for inter-cultural relationships, to implement God-inspired behaviors, and initiate new ministries and social change in their church and communities

Primary Values include:

LEARNING – God is doing amazing things through the global church. There is so much to learn about ministry and how God is working around the world. Come and learn!
RELATIONSHIPS – The kingdom of God is built on relationships, which are the key to a successful mission and ministry. Come and connect with followers of Jesus from around the world.
BRING IT HOME WITH YOU – When you return home, we want your vision and passion for your church, your community, and your own life in Christ to expand

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